A Rovers XV made the short journey from the New to the Old Friarage to play on a pitch that has graced the Barbarians, the All Blacks, many international players and, much less impressively, a schoolboy me. We were stronger than anticipated with 3 cry offs and a no show being more than offset by players of the calibre of Squid, Adam Smith, Chris Sainty and Tony Ross crying on at lunchtime. If a week is a long time in politics the few hours before a game on a Saturday is a piggin eternity at this level.

The scoring sequence went something like this

0-7. Adam Reay goes over in the corner after the Brigade defence is stretched. Scott Buttery slots over a touchline conversion to the general amazement of most people and maybe even himself.
0-14. Scott then crashes through the centre to score under the posts and converts himself.
5-14. Brigade then put together a good series of attacks and when we run out of defenders they move the ball out wide for a good try
5-19. Adam Reay gets another try in almost exactly the same place as his first sliding in bravely despite the attentions of two defenders.
5-24. A pushover try in the corner from one of the forwards. Forgot to ask who. Scott hits the post with the conversion.
10-24. An Andrew Arnell special when he slipped down the blindside to score out wide. The BBOB kicker also hits the post with the conversion.
10-29. AJ powers over after Rovers pressure
10-34. Ryan Harrison uses his pace and physique to cut through the BBOB defence.
10-41. Squid comes up with the ball after a forwards drive and adds the conversion. He now won't let anyone else have a kick at goal or for touch or territory.

HT BBOB 10 - 41 Rovers XV

Paul Arnell comes on for Brigade to reprise a half back partnership with brother Andrew

10-48. Squid makes a break and Adam Smith is on his shoulder to finish off
10-55. Matty Stevo makes ground this time and draws the final defender to put Squid in
10-62. Adam Smith is on the end of a backs move to go over and run round near the posts.
10-69. Adam Smith chases a chip through and gathers to score.
10-76. Adam Smith again (getting a bit repetitive now) when a BBOB move breaks down and Adam picks up the ball to break clear

FT BBOB 10 - 76 Rovers XV

First of all well done to Brigade who never stopped trying and the score was a bit flattering to us. We were a bit stronger than anticipated and Brigade a bit weaker but it was still a run out for a lot of lads who are friends, rivals and relatives. Also thanks to the Rovers lads who turned out at times for Brigade with Mark Power, Ben Gibson and Johnny Stoddart joining Paul Arnell in playing for the opposition.

Of the 12 tries we got 9 were from backs so we did throw the ball about a bit. Squid has scored 6 tries in his last 3 games but that was rather eclipsed by 4 in 40 minutes for Adam Smith. Evo played the first half in a managed return to rugby. Should anyone want to ask how his calf is he will be delighted to talk you through this in some detail. A couple of players who didn't get on the scoresheet took the eye. Firstly in a game where it was tempting to try too hard for yourself Couttsy had a splendid game where he always seemed to make the best decision whether to run himself or pass to someone in a better position. Finally a really big well done to Kevin Lawson who turned up intending to just play a cameo performance but as 3 front row had cried off he had to last a full game. And he did so magnificently. He took ball on in the loose, tidied up in the lineout and won ball against the head in the scrum. Excellent play Kev and you deserve your man of the match award.

Squad

Harrison, A Smith, Wright, Coutts, Buttery, Reay, Evens, Stephenson Ross, Lawson, S Saunders, Gibson, Stoddart, Ryan, Squid AJ, Power (c), Sainty

Next week we are back in Candy League action at home to Consett. At the moment we are narrowly ahead of Acklam at the top of the table

Report: Ian Smith